Second half surge leads Pitt past Wake Forest, 4-1, for back-to-back wins vs ranked ACC opponents

Following up on its first-ever win vs Duke, on Thursday night, Pitt women’s soccer team completed a successful home weekend defeating No. 17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

The Panthers took the early lead on Anna Bout’s fourth goal of the season. Following an early second half goal from Wake Forest that leveled the match, Pitt took a page from the men’s team’s playbook on Friday night, scoring three unanswered second half goals, from Sarah Schupansky, Ellie Coffield and Samiah Phiri.

“Much like the other day, we were the better team, but we weren’t nearly clinical enough in the first half,” Randy Waldrum, Pitt’s Head Coach said.

“In the second half, we finally put it together. I think Wake (Forest) has conceded eight goals all year, so to get four against them is really good. I am real proud of them, I thought overall they played really well, and it was a big, big weekend for us.”

With the win, Pitt improves to 11-2-1 overall, and 4-1-1 in ACC competition, putting them in right behind the conference’s big three: Florida State, Notre Dame and North Carolina.

HOW IT HAPPENED

At the 29th minute, Anna Bout put the Panthers on the board first after she sent the ball in the bottom center of the net.

GOALLLLLLL!!!@anna_bout put the Panthers on the board first 🔥

Pitt – 1, WF – 0

📺 ACCNX pic.twitter.com/8OQEeUWUuW

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 8, 2023

The Panthers headed into the locker room with the 1-0 lead, holding the majority of the possession, holding the edge in shots (8-2), shots on goal (6-1), and corner kicks (2-0).

In the 58th minute, Wake Forest’s Emily Murphy made a few nifty moves in the box to equalize the match.

Let's go, Murph 🎩 https://t.co/fvv3Q4ASAS pic.twitter.com/18liu7egP6

— Wake Women's Soccer (@WakeWSoccer) October 8, 2023

The Panthers responded no more than eight minutes later when Sarah Schupanksy posted her eighth goal on the season from an assist by Landy Mertz.

ANOTHER ONE ‼️@sarahschupansky secures the second goal of the afternoon for the Panthers off of @landy_mertz assist!

Pitt – 2, WF – 1

📺 ACCNX pic.twitter.com/iJtJ01EScY

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 8, 2023

Leaving 10 minutes on the board, Samiah Phiri completed the third goal of the day for the Panthers from a couple of clean passes from Keera Melenhorst and Deborah Abiodun.

WHAT. A. GOAL.@samiah80 found the back of the net off of @keeramelenhorst and @Abiodundebby100 assists!

Pitt – 3, WF – 1

📺 ACCNX pic.twitter.com/D5PK5jtuIH

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 8, 2023

Pitt wasn’t finished yet. At the 85th minute, Ellie Coffield launched the ball at the top of the 18 straight to the back of the net, securing the fourth and final goal of the Panthers.

Pitt dominated the field not only in goals. The Panthers posted 22-7 shots, 12-2 shots on goal and 5-2 corner kicks.

UP NEXT

The Panthers will hit the road as they head to Syracuse, NY to meet the Orange on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 PM.

Today were playing for #Moe86 💜🧡 pic.twitter.com/vcQud3Hl97

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) October 8, 2023